The InstigatorWe’ve rounded up some ideas for how and where you can celebrate your Valentine…
Leading up to…
Reality blurs and imagination soar in Quixotic, a mind-bending stage production of pole and aerial arts. Empowerment Pole & Fitness has joined forces with Salem Aerial Dance Company to present a powerful and sensual performance set to dazzle the Salem community and transport you to a world where imagination knows no bounds. The excitement is happening 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, February 10 in Reed Opera House, 189 Liberty St NE. Cost: $30. Click here for tickets. Age: 21 and older
Nothing says I love with like the Cherry City Roller Derby’s annual (family-friendly) Valentine’s Day mash-up bout “My Bloody Valentine.” Food and drink available for purchase. The fun takes place 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, February 10 at The Mad House, 1335 Madison St NE. Tickets are $12 to $30. Click here to purchase in advance.
Try out watercolor painting in a friendly atmosphere with a glass of wine in hand at Couples Wine & Watercolor. Learn how to paint a romantic sunset scene with watercolor artist Elisa Mack. Materials, instruction and hors d’oeuvres are included in price. Wine tasting and/ or bottles of wine can be purchased separately. The fun takes place 3 p.m. Saturday, February 10 at Chemeketa Cellars Tasting Room, 215 Doaks Ferry Road NW. Cost: $36. Click here to register.
Tap your toes at the Second Friday Ceili on Friday, February 9. No experience (or partner) is needed…but it’s ok if you have either or both 😉 With a couple of simple steps (forwards and back and sideways), you can dance any dance. No special shoes are needed; tennis shoes/sneakers are great. Oh and beginners are always welcome, too! All dances are walked and called. This month features live music by Richie Rosencrans, Kate Gregory and Erik Killops and dances called by Sam Keator. Bottled water will be available for purchase or bring your own.
When: Friday, February 9. Doors at 7 p.m., dance instruction begins at 7:15, and live music starts at 8.
Where: VFW Hall, 630 Hood St NE
Cost: $10; $5 student, $30 family. Click here for more info.
Take part in Galentine’s Yoga 10 a.m. Sunday, February 11 at CreativiTee, 110 Commercial St NE. The class includes a yoga tank created specifically for this class. Afterward, enjoy beverages and snacks while you shop CreativiTee + rofe designs. Special discounts will be announced at the class. Cost is $42 (includes class plus tank and beverages & snacks). Click here to register.
Find a special something for your special someone…
Celebrate community love at Boutique de Amantes, 12 to 4 p.m. February 10 at Cória Estates, 8252 Redstone Ave SE. This event includes an opportunity to shop local from featured collaborators Sis & Sis Baking Co., Foxtail Blooms, Satin & Stone, Schneider Pine Candles, Beloved Cheesecake and Deva’s Rose Jewelry and Metal Works, plus experience La Pareja Perfecta — The Perfect Pair, a tasting experience that joins complex red wines and cocoa euphoria. Reserve your spot for the tasting here.
Moth & Flame Market “Twin Flames” is happening 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, February 10 at Venti’s Cafe downtown, 325 Court St NE.
Take a colorful break from winter gray with the artists at Studios at The Mill during their Open House where you can browse art, chat, and find art gifts for yourself or for the art lovers in your life (Valentine’s Day will be 4 days away). This is a free event, open to the public, 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, February 10 at Studios at the Mill inside Willamette Heritage Center.
Market for the Strange is celebrating love in every strange way it appears with Strange Lovers vendor fair, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. February 11 at Salem Convention Center. $5 admission fee.
More than a dozen local vendors will offer their wares at the X’s & O’s Market from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, February 13 at Epilogue Kitchen, 508 State St.
And if you are looking for some unique chocolates, try Truffle Shuffle Salem or Chomp Chocolate.
Night of…
Dine in or take out Valentine’s Day dinner at Wild Pear. Call 503-375-7515 to make your dinner reservation (walk-ins are accepted at the bar space dependant) or if you want to go, order online at wildpearcatering.com to arrange the price-fixed, three-course meal to go.
Pacific Standard is hosting a Valentine’s Day four-course dinner for two, with optional wine pairings. Click here to see the menu. Cost is $85 per person plus $25 for wine. And make your reservations here.
Valentine’s Dinner at Stomp by Croft Vineyard is a collaboration with chef Lindsay Anderson of Easy Otter and aims to be a celebration of love, flavor, and the soulful spirit of the south. Cost starts at $80. Limited tickets available. Click here to make your reservation.
Paradiso at The Grand, 195 High St NE, want you to indulge in an unforgettable Valentine’s Day experience with their six-course prix-fixe menu crafted by Chef Jeremy Benz. There are also optional wine pairings to add on. Seatings begin at 4 p.m. Cost is $100 per person; $40 optional wine pairings. Call 971-707-4098 to reserve your spot.
West Hills Vineyard hosts a Valentine’s Day Bistro Dinner featuring a pre fixe 4 course meal plus wine and live music, 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, February 14 at 4785 Salem Dallas Hwy NW. Cost: $65 to $75. Click here or tickets.
Venti’s is serving up a special Valentine’s menu downtown and out south. Chose from their prefixed menu of starters, entrees and desserts. See what’s on the menu here. Guarantee yourself a table by calling ahead for reservations. Cost is $25 per person in duo or $27 for an individual. Call the downtown location at 503-399-8733 or south at 503-391-5100.
Archive Coffee & Bar is setting the mood with ambiance and specials that include entrees, deserts and cocktails, too.
Lively Station’s Valentine’s Day 10-course Chef’s Tasting Menu is sold out, but you can try to get yourself on the waitlist here.
Spend your Valentine’s Day with Ultimate Elvis: Justin Shandor. Since the passing of the King, there has never been a tribute artist that has so captured the look, moves, and especially the sound of the King more than Justin Shandor. The show begins 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 14 at Elsinore Theatre, 170 High St SE. Cost: $25 to $55 in advance; $5 more on day of show. Click here for tickets.
Candlelight Concert presents Romeo & Juliet featuring Listeso String Quartet, 6:30 and 9 p.m. February 14 at Salem’s Historic Grand Theatre. Cost: $30 to $57. Click here for tickets.
Let’s talk about sex, baby! Enjoy Sexy Talk, a steamy stand-up comedy show where comics riff on audience questions about sex, love and relationships. Audience members will be able to anonymously text their spicy questions before and during the show. Hosted by hilarious Salem darlings Curtis Everetts and Tony Meyer. Food and drinks are available for purchase during the show, 7 p.m. Wednesday, February 14 at Infinity Room, 210 Liberty St SE. Cost: $12 in advance/$15 at the door. Click here for tickets.
And for everyone not going to dinner with a lover on Valentine’s Day, Botaneity is giving you an excuse to get dressed up for cake, wine, small bites, and a favorite anti-love story, 500 Days of Summer, 6 p.m. February 14 at Stangeland Vineyards & Winery, 8500 Hopewell Road NW. Admission is free with the purchase of a glass of wine. (PS: Lovers are welcome, too)
Move over Valentine’s Day — it’s (also) Oregon’s Birthday and the perfect time to celebrate love (of state) with a Trivia Night where you can flex your Oregon history knowledge with Willamette Heritage Center curator, Kylie Pine. This free event is happening 5:30 to 8 p.m. Feb 14, but you need to RSVP here. And donations are always appreciated (WHC is a nonprofit organization, after all!)
Love keeps going…
Valentine’s Day Dinner reservations are sold out at Palominos Restaurant and Bar but you can partake in their Wine Tasting & Food Pairing 6 to 8 p.m. Feb 15. Click here for tickets.
The Best Goose Bar (inside Fork Forty Food Hall) is hosting a Taylor Swift-themed Valentine’s, Galentine’s and Palentine’s Day Lovers Party 9 p.m. to late, February 17. There will be drink specials, a costume contest, dancing, DJ, karaoke, singalongs and friendship bracelets.
